It’s been a while since I’ve talked about the podcast. In this post (and the latest episode), I go behind the scenes to talk about why The Hardcore Self Help Podcast went quiet, the big opportunity that almost changed everything, and what’s next for the show as we relaunch.

For the first time in a long while, I feel excited about the future of the podcast, and I want to bring you along for the ride. For the most detail, please watch the video or listen to the podcast episode!

What Happened

Earlier this year, I was in serious talks to sell the podcast to a larger mental health organization. The idea wasn’t that I would walk away, but that I’d sell the rights to the existing content and continue as a host and creative influence under a bigger umbrella with more resources.

For someone who has been running this as a one-person (sometimes two-person) operation, the idea was very appealing. They flew me out, introduced me to their team, and the vibe was very much “we’re excited to work with you.”

But after months of discussion, legal prep, and waiting for clarity, the deal fell through completely. Their explanation was that a larger acquisition on their end left them without the budget to purchase the podcast. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

This isn’t the first time I’ve been let down by opportunities in the content creation space, but it still stung. I had allowed myself to think about how this acquisition could change my work and life. And then it was gone.

Processing and Moving Forward

I’ve taken some time to process the whole experience and think about what I want the next chapter of the podcast to look like. The short version:

The Hardcore Self Help Podcast is coming back.

It will look a little different, though. Instead of focusing mostly on Q&A, I want to lean heavily into interviews. Information is everywhere right now. What’s rare is real human connection. I believe one of my biggest strengths as a podcaster is in interviewing people and drawing out insights you don’t normally hear from them.

So moving forward, you’ll hear more interviews with experts, creators, and everyday people who have powerful stories to share. I’ll still do some deep dives when there’s a topic I feel really compelled to talk about, but the heart of the show will be conversation.

What’s Next

• A refreshed look for the podcast, including new cover art

• More interviews, both remote and in-person

• Occasional deep dives into complex mental health topics

• Updates on my projects, including my new audiobook Bipolar Answers

• A realistic release schedule that prioritizes quality over quantity

I’ll be launching with a few episodes ready to go, so we can start strong and consistent.

Get in Touch!

If you’d like to suggest a quest for the show, pitch yourself as a potential guest, or give me a topic to cover, please comment here or shoot me an email at duffthepsych@gmail.com